Huntsville gazette., 1887-06-11
THE NEGRO IN POLITICS.
Some Results in Florida.
4 Southern De m Ocrati c
Newspaper Pays a Warm
Tribute to Virtue and
Intelligence c Cood
Service Rendered
COlored Legis-
IatOrS.
Some Results in Florida.
From the Palatka (Fla,) Daily News.

gro was an experiment Lincoln dis
trusted and from which the Southern
people expected the most disastrous
results. It is to the credit of both
races the solution of the problem has
been reached so soon, so peacefully
aud so satisfactorily. At the North
as well as in the South, the freedman
was considered unworthy of the bal
lot when it was first placed in his
hands-the only difference between
the opinions generally entertain ID in
the two sections lay in the belief Of
the North that the Negroes intellecs
tual stature would grow to meet the
demands laid upon it. while the
South belived him only capable of
mental and moral growth within
certain narrow limits. The ballot
was put in his hands by one party
because it was believed to be de
fensive weapon necessary to his po~
litical existence-the measure gained
the acquiescence of the other because
all opposition had been crushed out
with heavy heel.
But even to those who once held
opposite views, the proof Of the cap
acity of the Negro has now been am>
ply demonstrated. We knew him in
childhood and he was with US, the
companion of ALL outdoor life. We
knew him te der, set-sacrificing and
often brave, but it has been reserved
for later years to funish conclusive
proof of capacity for business, poll
tics and enterprise Of which we once
believed him incapable. To those
who see him rarely there may be lit
tie evidence Of improvement-to us,
watching the development day by
day the change is marvellous.
During the first ten years succeed
ing his entire emancipation from
the control of which he had beed &C
custOmed for generations, the Negro
was the most helpless being magma
BILE. Is it wonderful that his simpli-
city Was betrayed, his ignorance made
the tool of designing men, and his
strength became dangerous? Only
the power of endurance inherent in
our race made the situation toll
erable-only the wonderful resources
of the richest section under the sun
made recuperaiion possible; much Of
the danger and trouble Of the old
time still clings to us-the ghost of
the dead past still haunts the shad-
owy places of the present day.
But the knottiest point of the pro-
blem has been solved-it has been
proved that the Negro is capable of
in all directions aud it
is now certain that he will justify
himself for his assumption of politi
cal responsibility before the bar of
the future. He is among us as far
mer, merchant, merchanicand legis
latOr, and often his ability is more
than respectable. Daval has Repre-
sented Gib5s in the Florida Legis-
lature and he has done good service.
Alachua has colored citizen in the
Senate whose first term has made
most favorable impression on his col
leagues.
1t was this Negro Senator, Martin,
who so stoutly opposed Mr.. Mckin-
ne amendment to reduce the ap-
for the East Florida
and who like most of the
more intelligent sons of his race, ap
pears to think no sum extravagant
which is devoted to the cause of ed
ucatiOn.
When it is remembered that from
the institution in question Negroes
are excluded, the breadth Of purpose
its Negro champion may
be appreciated. Throughout the
session Senator Martin has proved
himself warm and intelligent friend
of his couaty's best interests, and a
sensible and consistent advocate of
the cause of education.
He has not forgotten his own race
in urging the location of a Normal
School for Negroes at Gainesville,
and, while the paper which claims the
highest rank in the State was boats
ing of the political victory of its
white editor gained by wholesale
purchase o. votos, this Negro was
quietly and thoughtflly framing a law
n nratacf tho hallnt ahd pnard the